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Cost of living: What payments are available and how do you claim? Cost of living: What payments are available and how do you claim?
(about 16 hours later)
Millions of people will receive the next round of payments to help with rising bills from the end of April, as a committee of MPs investigate the fairness of the scheme.Millions of people will receive the next round of payments to help with rising bills from the end of April, as a committee of MPs investigate the fairness of the scheme.
Low-income households, pensioners and some disabled people will receive additional cost-of-living funds following an extension to the scheme from last year.Low-income households, pensioners and some disabled people will receive additional cost-of-living funds following an extension to the scheme from last year.
MPs are studying whether the design of the payments system has supported those most in need.MPs are studying whether the design of the payments system has supported those most in need.
What's happening to my energy bill?What's happening to my energy bill?
What cost-of-living payments will be available?What cost-of-living payments will be available?
Some groups will receive payments to help with higher bills, including:Some groups will receive payments to help with higher bills, including:
£900 in total in three instalments in spring, autumn and spring 2024 to households on means-tested benefits£900 in total in three instalments in spring, autumn and spring 2024 to households on means-tested benefits
£300 for pensioner households in the winter£300 for pensioner households in the winter
£150 to people on certain disability benefits, paid in the summer£150 to people on certain disability benefits, paid in the summer
The first instalment of £301 for those on means-tested benefits will be made between 25 April and 17 May.The first instalment of £301 for those on means-tested benefits will be made between 25 April and 17 May.
Who is eligible for the £900?Who is eligible for the £900?
The payment, in three instalments, is available to households who receive the following benefits:The payment, in three instalments, is available to households who receive the following benefits:
Universal CreditUniversal Credit
income-based Jobseeker's Allowanceincome-based Jobseeker's Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowanceincome-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income SupportIncome Support
working tax creditworking tax credit
child tax creditchild tax credit
pension creditpension credit
The payment reference on a recipient's bank account will be their national insurance number, followed by "DWP COLP".The payment reference on a recipient's bank account will be their national insurance number, followed by "DWP COLP".
The 1.1 million people who receive only tax credits, rather than any of the other benefits, will be paid slightly later than others. The 1.1 million people who receive only tax credits, rather than any of the other benefits, may be paid slightly later than others, starting on 2 May.
People are not eligible for these payments if they receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - unless they get Universal Credit.People are not eligible for these payments if they receive New Style Employment and Support Allowance, contributory Employment and Support Allowance, or New Style Jobseeker's Allowance - unless they get Universal Credit.
Anyone who thinks they should have received the help but did not should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits, or report it here.Anyone who thinks they should have received the help but did not should contact the office that pays their benefit or tax credits, or report it here.
To qualify for the next instalment, people had to have claimed a benefits payment between 26 January and 25 February 2023, or received a payment for an assessment period ending between these dates. Pensioner households may be able to have a new pension credit claim backdated.To qualify for the next instalment, people had to have claimed a benefits payment between 26 January and 25 February 2023, or received a payment for an assessment period ending between these dates. Pensioner households may be able to have a new pension credit claim backdated.
An estimated 850,000 pensioner households do not claim pension credit, which is a gateway to these extra payments.An estimated 850,000 pensioner households do not claim pension credit, which is a gateway to these extra payments.
Other eligibility details are outlined here.Other eligibility details are outlined here.
None of these cost-of-living payments affect the tax you pay, or the benefits or tax credits you receive.None of these cost-of-living payments affect the tax you pay, or the benefits or tax credits you receive.
What cost-of-living payments have people already received?What cost-of-living payments have people already received?
Two payments totalling £650 have been made to more than eight million low-income households.Two payments totalling £650 have been made to more than eight million low-income households.
The first instalment of £326 was paid between 14 and 31 July. The second instalment of £324 should have reached those eligible by the end of December.The first instalment of £326 was paid between 14 and 31 July. The second instalment of £324 should have reached those eligible by the end of December.
Payments of £300 were also paid to pensioners during the winter just gone, and a £150 payment was also made last year to those with disabilities.Payments of £300 were also paid to pensioners during the winter just gone, and a £150 payment was also made last year to those with disabilities.
Some people would have received all of those payments, if they were eligible.Some people would have received all of those payments, if they were eligible.
What other support has been available?What other support has been available?
Everyone's energy bill was cut by at least £400 during winter.Everyone's energy bill was cut by at least £400 during winter.
This was applied over six months, with a £66 reduction in October and November, and a £67 discount every month between December and March.This was applied over six months, with a £66 reduction in October and November, and a £67 discount every month between December and March.
The discount was made automatically by energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales. However, there are no plans so far for this to be repeated next winter.The discount was made automatically by energy suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales. However, there are no plans so far for this to be repeated next winter.
Separate arrangements were made for households in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market. They are receiving a single payment of £600 starting in January, which is higher than the rest of the UK because a higher proportion of households use heating oil.Separate arrangements were made for households in Northern Ireland, which has its own energy market. They are receiving a single payment of £600 starting in January, which is higher than the rest of the UK because a higher proportion of households use heating oil.
Direct debit customers in Northern Ireland are having the money paid into their bank accounts. Other customers will be sent a voucher.Direct debit customers in Northern Ireland are having the money paid into their bank accounts. Other customers will be sent a voucher.
What help are disabled people getting?What help are disabled people getting?
Up to six million people on the following disability benefits will receive another £150 later in the year:Up to six million people on the following disability benefits will receive another £150 later in the year:
Disability Living AllowanceDisability Living Allowance
Personal Independence PaymentPersonal Independence Payment
Attendance AllowanceAttendance Allowance
Scottish Disability PaymentsScottish Disability Payments
Armed Forces Independence PaymentArmed Forces Independence Payment
Constant Attendance AllowanceConstant Attendance Allowance
War Pension Mobility SupplementWar Pension Mobility Supplement
What extra help will pensioners get?What extra help will pensioners get?
Households that receive the Winter Fuel Payment - which is worth £200-£300 and is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - should have received an extra £300 in November or December.Households that receive the Winter Fuel Payment - which is worth £200-£300 and is paid to nearly all homes with at least one person of pension age - should have received an extra £300 in November or December.
That should cover nearly all pensioners across the UK. Another additional cost-of-living payment of £300 will be made next winter,That should cover nearly all pensioners across the UK. Another additional cost-of-living payment of £300 will be made next winter,
Lower-income pensioners who claim pension credit receive the money in addition to the £650 support for those on benefits.Lower-income pensioners who claim pension credit receive the money in addition to the £650 support for those on benefits.
This means a small group of pensioners with disabilities have already received a total of £1,500, with more to come.This means a small group of pensioners with disabilities have already received a total of £1,500, with more to come.
Try our Family £1 recipe meal planTry our Family £1 recipe meal plan
Why are prices rising so much?Why are prices rising so much?
What does the Budget mean for energy bills?What does the Budget mean for energy bills?
What happens if I can't afford to pay my mortgage?What happens if I can't afford to pay my mortgage?
What is the inquiry by MPs all about?What is the inquiry by MPs all about?
The Commons Work and Pensions Committee is studying whether cost-of-living payments have been received everyone in need of help.The Commons Work and Pensions Committee is studying whether cost-of-living payments have been received everyone in need of help.
They are considering whether some have missed out on hundreds of pounds because they are just outside the qualifying criteria, and whether the package as a whole is sufficient for low-income families.They are considering whether some have missed out on hundreds of pounds because they are just outside the qualifying criteria, and whether the package as a whole is sufficient for low-income families.
People who receive the payments can offer their views to the committee via an online survey before 16 April.People who receive the payments can offer their views to the committee via an online survey before 16 April.
What other payments have been made?What other payments have been made?
A £150 rebate, often through people's council tax bill, was made last year.A £150 rebate, often through people's council tax bill, was made last year.
The payment method depended on whether you pay your council tax by direct debit and where you live in the UK.The payment method depended on whether you pay your council tax by direct debit and where you live in the UK.
Some people were given fuel vouchers through the Household Support Fund, which is distributed by local councils.Some people were given fuel vouchers through the Household Support Fund, which is distributed by local councils.
What else is the government doing to tackle energy prices?What else is the government doing to tackle energy prices?
The government launched an Energy Price Guarantee in October 2022, which limits a typical duel-fuel household's annual energy bill to £2,500.The government launched an Energy Price Guarantee in October 2022, which limits a typical duel-fuel household's annual energy bill to £2,500.
It is not a cap on how much customers actually pay - your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.It is not a cap on how much customers actually pay - your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.
The scheme was initially designed to last for two years, but was then reduced to six months.The scheme was initially designed to last for two years, but was then reduced to six months.
However, the government has now confirmed the guarantee will continue until July.However, the government has now confirmed the guarantee will continue until July.
The plan applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, but in Northern Ireland a typical bill is lower.The plan applies to all households in England, Scotland and Wales, but in Northern Ireland a typical bill is lower.
What about help for businesses?What about help for businesses?
The government also announced a scheme to cut energy bills for businesses, which ends at the end of March.The government also announced a scheme to cut energy bills for businesses, which ends at the end of March.
Heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers, received a larger discount than others.Heavy energy-using sectors, like glass, ceramics and steelmakers, received a larger discount than others.
How is the rising cost of living affecting you? Please get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.How is the rising cost of living affecting you? Please get in touch by emailing: haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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Related TopicsRelated Topics
PensionersPensioners
MoneyMoney
Personal financePersonal finance
Energy industryEnergy industry
DisabilityDisability
Cost of livingCost of living